Hurt in a Car Wreck? Take These 4 Steps Immediately

Hurt in a Car Wreck? Take These 4 Steps Immediately

A severe wreck is almost always a traumatic event. Staying calm, focused, and in control in the immediate aftermath can be challenging. However, your ability to maintain your composure could be crucial to the success of your claim, as taking the right actions might make all the difference during proceedings.

As such, you should take a deep breath and carefully think about your next steps. Making sure to avoid mistakes during this important stage could help you avoid disputes that might otherwise lead to delays or the outright denial of your claim.

Let’s take a look at a few actions you should take in the aftermath of an accident:

1. Visit the Doctor

Your top priority after an accident should be taking care of your health. While you might feel fine, it’s possible that you suffered a severe impact injury that hasn’t yet presented with any symptoms. These injuries can often worsen over time, leading to life-threatening health complications.

Seeking prompt medical care won’t just ensure you receive immediate treatment for your injuries, it will also show the insurer that you took sufficient steps to mitigate damages. Additionally, taking swift action may make it easier to connect your injuries to the wreck, as this will leave little room for doubt.

2. Preserve Evidence from the Scene

If you were able to collect proof at the scene of the wreck, you should compile this information in a safe place. Such evidence can include:

• Photographs of the wreckage
• Eyewitness statements
• Dashcam footage
• Surveillance camera recordings
• Pictures of your injuries
• Copies of the official police accident report
• The other driver’s contact details and insurance information

3. Start a Personal Injury Journal

Detailed journal entries documenting the nature of your injuries and their impact on your life could be an invaluable asset in your fight for a fair settlement. In Texas, car wreck victims have a right to seek compensation for non-economic losses stemming from a wreck, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and mental anguish. These entries could help give others a window into how your condition has affected your quality of life.

4. Change Your Social Media Habits

You might think that you’re safe to say whatever you want on social media, but if you’re seeking compensation, the digital space isn’t off limits to opposing parties. In their bid to find any evidence that could be used to challenge your credibility, the insurer may start monitoring your social media accounts.

From comments to reviews to pictures to “check ins”, any of your activity in the digital space could help give them ammunition to dispute your claim. As such, you should deactivate your profiles for the duration of proceedings.

Discuss Your Case with a Texas Car Wreck Attorney

If your life was derailed by a negligent motorist, turn to the legal team at Hilliard Law. Our attorneys are committed to helping accident victims seek justice in the wake of a preventable wreck. To schedule a free consultation with a Texas car accident attorney, dial 1-800-334-3298 or visit our contact page HERE.